Calcium and Alkalinity Question

[bavass]

I am wondering if I have a problem? My calcium will stay about the same all the time 480. last week over the period of the week it dropped to 475. Alkalinity I had at 12dkh over the coasre of the week it dropped to 8. Is this normal to have alk being used up but not calcium? I am using Seachem Reef Builder for Alkalinity I am thinking of starting a 2 part system from Bulk Reef Supply but was kinda waiting till I started using calcium. Should I just go ahead and just add alkalinity and magnesium but not calcium? Just can't seem to get them to balance and drop together like i thought they were supposed to do. Maybe I am wrong?

 

[ccCapt]

Your alk is very, very high. It should be around 8 dKH, which is the average alkalinity of the water around most coral reefs.. I suggest stop using any additives. What brand salt are you using?

Are you noticing any build up of calcium carbonate (it will look like a tan-ish brown hard crust) on your heaters or pump impellers?

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[bavass]

My corals seem to do better with higher alk I like to keep it around 11-12 dkh. I have seen 0 calcium build up on anything. I am using Red Sea Coral Pro